Tuesday Open Thread

Last night was night #5 of DD9 having trouble falling asleep. Granted, it has improved (took her 6 hours the first night, 3 the next, and now it’s ranging between 2 and 2.5 hours) but THIS STILL F*CKING SUCKS.

I have done everything I can think of. A few sips of warm chamomile tea. A sleep meditation for children podcast. A nice bath before bed. Making sure she gets exercise. No caffeine, ever. Giving her explicit permission to turn on the lamp, sit in her book nook and read for a while if she gets tired of tossing and turning. Letting her know this is no big deal, happens to everyone, and it’s summer so she shouldn’t worry, it will pass. And still she works herself into a tearful frenzy of guilt and frustration.

And I’m getting no sleep because she’s knocking on my door some nights, and waking me as she paces to the restroom on others. Plus I’m just worried. And running out of my gentle, Zen patience.

I’m trying Benadryl tonight. If that doesn’t work, then we’re seeing the pediatrician for next steps. Because I can’t have a 9-year-old with a sleep disorder, KWIM? I have always been a shitty sleeper and ascribed it to my parents never having me on any schedule, letting me stay up as late as I wanted from an early age. We have worked like dogs to give our kids consistent sleep schedules and it has worked really well – until now.

What say you, ladies? Am I overreacting? Is it too early to be this worried, or should I be seeking medical advice?